More should be done to tackle cyber bullying says study

Jon Peake

Around 80 per cent of young people think social media companies should do more to tackle cyber bullying, according to a study.

Almost half have experienced threatening, intimidating or nasty messages and 14 per cent have been a victim of online bullying in the last month, research by YoungMinds and The Children’s Society found.

Many said their personal information had been shared publicly, they had been excluded from conversations or groups online or received persistent messages from someone after asking them to stop.

The survey of around 1,000 people aged 11 to 25 was carried out ahead of an inquiry in Parliament into the impact of cyber bullying on young people’s mental health.

Conservative MP Alex Chalk, who is leading the inquiry, said: “Social media is a good thing but there is increasing evidence that prolonged exposure at such a young age carries risks.

“As a society we are in the foothills of our understanding of the impact of social media on young people’s mental health.

“This robust, evidence-based inquiry will improve our knowledge and help young people more safely navigate what can feel like a minefield.”

A panel will hear from young people, experts and social media companies on what can be done to tackle cyber bullying and promote good mental health.

Around 40 per cent of those polled said social media had a negative impact on how they feel about themselves.

Almost 60 per cent admitted having accounts when they were below the minimum age of 13.

Despite the findings, 60 per cent of young people said social media had a positive effect on their friendships.

Sarah Brennan, chief executive of YoungMinds, said: “Young people must feel safe online, and more needs to be done to prevent and respond to cyber bullying when it happens.

“But we’re also excited to see how this inquiry can work with social media companies to find innovative ways to promote mental health among young people, empowering them to understand how to respond to what they see online and cope with the pressures that social media brings.”

The results of the inquiry are due to be published in a report early next year.